CN109689935B

CN109689935B - Product container with electrochemical device

Info

Publication number: CN109689935B
Application number: CN201680089063.6A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 帕特里克·约翰松; 文达·波特-马洛尼; 凯利·盖尔·邓肯
Original assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Current assignee: Colgate Palmolive Co
Priority date: 2016-09-07
Filing date: 2016-09-07
Publication date: 2022-02-15
Anticipated expiration: 2036-09-07
Also published as: EP3510182B1; CN109689935A; AU2016422604C1; CA3031624A1; US11105005B2; AU2016422604A1; WO2018048393A1; RU2730522C1; MX2019002264A; US20190186025A1; EP3510182A1; AU2016422604B2

Abstract

A product container is provided. The product container includes a first product and an electrochemical device configured to convert a portion of the first product into a second product, the second product being an unstable formulation.

Description

Product container with electrochemical device

Background

Many consumer products have been developed to address or address specific consumer needs or problems. Some of these products may contain ingredients that are difficult to formulate to stabilize the product sufficiently effective throughout the typical product life cycle. For example, oral care products (e.g., dental hygiene products) have been developed to whiten teeth. These products may contain chemicals (e.g., hydrogen peroxide) that can be applied by the consumer, dentist, or other professional. In some of these products, potassium persulfate (K)₂S₂O₈) Can be used for whitening teeth. However, potassium persulfate is found in oral care products due to its high reactivity in aqueous environmentsThe common ingredients used have poor compatibility. Therefore, potassium persulfate is difficult to formulate into a stable product. Anhydrous and/or hydrophobic formulations may improve the stability of potassium persulfate, but may interfere with the release of persulfate from the formulation, which may result in poor performance.

Disclosure of Invention

Embodiments consistent with the present disclosure provide a product container comprising a first product and an electrochemical device. The electrochemical device may be configured to convert a portion of the first product into a second product, the second product being an unstable formulation.

In some implementations, the electrochemical device can include a dispensing chamber and an electrical circuit. The circuit may include a power source, such as a battery, a first electrode and a second electrode. The first electrode and the second electrode can be disposed in the dispensing cavity. The circuit may be configured to generate the second product from the portion of the first product in the dispensing chamber by outputting power from the power source to the portion of the first product via the first electrode and the second electrode.

In some embodiments, the first product may be a liquid, a gel, or a paste. Further, in some embodiments, the first product may be an oral care product. Additionally, in some embodiments, the first product may be a whitening product. In some embodiments, the whitening product may be a persulfate salt. In some embodiments, the whitening product may be a peroxide.

In some implementations, the product dispenser includes a bottle with a lid, and the lid houses the electrochemical device. In some implementations, the lid includes a cup, and an interior of the cup defines the dispensing cavity. Further, in some implementations, the dispensing cavity can include a channel through the lid. Additionally, in some implementations, the product container may include a dip tube extending from the first product to the lid, a first electrode in the dip tube, a second electrode in the lid.

In some embodiments, the first product may have a first predetermined pH and the second product may have a second predetermined pH. In some embodiments, the first predetermined pH may be about 3, and the second predetermined pH value may be about 7. Further, in some embodiments, the first predetermined pH may be about 11, and the second predetermined pH may be about 7.

In some implementations, the first electrode and the second electrode can include a co-spiral shape.

In some implementations, the electronic circuit also includes a switch configured to enable and disable the circuit. In some embodiments, the manual selector may be configured to control the switch. Further, in some embodiments, the switch may be configured to automatically disable the circuit based on a predetermined event.

In some embodiments, the dispensing chamber includes an agitator powered by the circuit. In some embodiments, the circuit further comprises an indicator.

Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating some preferred aspects of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention.

Drawings

The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1A illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary product container according to aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 1B illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary lid of a product container according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary product container in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary product container in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary product container in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 5A illustrates a cutaway side perspective view of an exemplary lid containing an electrochemical device, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 5B illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary lid containing an electrochemical device, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 6A illustrates a cutaway side perspective view of an exemplary lid containing an electrochemical device, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 6B illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary electrochemical device according to aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 7A illustrates a cutaway side perspective view of an exemplary lid containing an electrochemical device, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 7B illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary electrode according to aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary electrochemical device according to aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary electrochemical device according to aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 10A illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary product container, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

fig. 10B illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary product container, according to aspects of the present disclosure; and

fig. 10C illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary electrochemical device, according to aspects of the present disclosure.

Detailed Description

The present disclosure relates generally to packaging, and more particularly, to containers and dispensers for consumer products. Exemplary implementations of product containers and dispensers according to aspects of the present disclosure include an electrochemical device that generates highly reactive products in situ from one or more products stored in the product container. The product can be stable for long periods of time (e.g., months), while the reactive product can only be stable for short periods of time (e.g., seconds or minutes). The use of in situ generated reactive products avoids the difficulties of formulating and stabilizing such products for long term storage, which may affect efficacy and marketability thereof, such as described above.

Electrochemical devices according to aspects of the present disclosure may be selectively activated to substantially change the pH of a product stored in a product container. For example, in some cases, the product container may store a product (e.g., a hydrogen peroxide-based mouthwash) having a pH of 3 at which the product is stable for an extended period of time (e.g., months). When needed for use, the user may activate the electrochemical device in the product container, which initiates a chemical reaction that raises the pH of the product from 3 to 7 and produces a reactive product. In some embodiments, the electrodes of the electrochemical device initiate the formation of reactive products. Additionally or alternatively, the electrodes contribute to the components of the reactive product. The efficacy of the reactive product may be substantially greater than that of a stable and/or low pH product (e.g., improved tooth whitening and killing of microorganisms). However, the reactive product may be unstable so that its performance is degraded in a short time (e.g., several minutes).

Additionally, electrochemical devices according to aspects of the present disclosure may include indicators (e.g., light emitting devices and/or sound emitting devices) that are activated in association with in situ generation of reactive products from the products to provide cues and/or feedback to a user (e.g., a consumer). Such cues allow for an attractive and interesting way to provide feedback to the user regarding the operation and product status of the electrochemical device. For example, the indicator may be used to signal to a user the amount of time that the product should remain in the electrochemical device prior to dispensing.

Fig. 1A illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary container 100, according to aspects of the present disclosure. The container 100 is a container that stores a product 105 that may be a conductive liquid, gel, paste, semi-solid, etc. In embodiments, the container 100 may be a bottle, jar, or tube, and the product 105 may be an oral care product (e.g., mouthwash, toothpaste, or whitening agent) or a cleaning product (e.g., soap or cleanser). The container 100 is formed by a sidewall 109 closed by a lid 113 and a bottom 117 that retains the product 105 in the container. In some embodiments, the cover 113 may be removable. For example, the cap 113 may have a cup shape that screws onto the mouth of the container 100. In other embodiments, the lid 113 is not removed for dispensing. Rather, the lid 113 may be permanently or semi-permanently connected to or integral with the sidewall 109 and include a spout or valve for dispensing the product 105.

The container 100 also contains an electrochemical device 121 that converts the substantially stable product 105 into a reactive product that is unstable relative to the product 105. In some embodiments, the electrochemical device 121 is completely contained within the lid 113. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, electrochemical device 121, when in use (e.g., "in situ"), induces a chemical change in product 105 to generate a reactive product. As used herein, the term "stable" means that the chemical nature of at least 70% of the active ingredient in a formulation or compound will remain substantially unchanged after storage at room temperature (e.g., about 65 to 80 degrees fahrenheit) for at least two (2) months. Additionally, as used herein, "unstable" means that the active ingredient of a formulation or compound will deteriorate and become substantially ineffective in a short period of time. In embodiments, the short period of time is less than about 30 minutes. In some embodiments (e.g., a mouthwash or cleaning product), the short period of time can be between about 2 minutes to about 5 minutes. In other embodiments (e.g., whitening agents), the short period of time may be less than 60 seconds.

The electrochemical device 121 may also include an indicator 123 for providing a visual and/or audible cue to a user. In some embodiments, the indicator 123 is exposed on an exterior surface of the container 100 or the lid 113. In other embodiments, the indicator 123 is completely inside the container 100 or lid 113 such that it illuminates the product 105. The prompts provided by the indicator 123 may be associated with the conversion of the product 105 and used to provide an interesting display. For example, the indicator 123 may generate a first indication when the electrochemical device 121 converts the product 105, and a second indication (e.g., after a timer of the electrochemical device 121 determines a predetermined amount of time, or after a sensor of the electrochemical device 121 detects a pH) to indicate that the conversion of the product 105 to a reactive product has been completed.

In an exemplary use example, the product container 100 may be a mouthwash bottle with a cup-shaped lid 113, and the product 105 may be a precursor to a mouthwash formulation containing a whitening agent (e.g., hydrogen peroxide). A user (e.g., a consumer) may remove the cap 113 by unscrewing the cap 113 from the container 100 and dispense a portion of the product 105 into the cap 113. For example, fig. 1B shows a side perspective view of an exemplary lid 113 containing portions of product 105 and electrochemical device 121. The electrochemical device 121 may be activated (automatically or manually) to convert the product 105 to a reactive product by, for example, changing the pH. In an embodiment, the electrochemical device 121 outputs a current of about 500mA for a period of about 30 seconds to about 60 seconds to convert the product 105. Additionally, during the period of activation of the electrochemical device 121, the indicator 123 may output one or more audio and/or visual cues indicating that the conversion of the product 105 is occurring and/or being completed. For example, electrochemical device 121 may illuminate product 105 using one or more colored or colorless light emitting diodes ("LEDs"). After determining that the conversion has been completed (e.g., based on time, pH, or temperature), electrochemical device 121 may provide a different cue (visual and/or audio) using indicator 123. The user may then use the reactive product generated from the product 105 in the lid 113.

Fig. 2 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary container 200 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The container 200 includes a product 105, a lid 113, and an electrochemical device 121, which may be the same as or similar to the product, lid, and electrochemical device of the container (e.g., container 100) previously described herein. The container 200 and/or the lid 113 may be formed of a transparent or translucent material (e.g., a transparent or translucent plastic). In an embodiment, the lid 113 is integral with the container 200. In other embodiments, the lid 113 may be removed from the container 200 and house the electrochemical device 121. In embodiments, product 105 is separated from electrochemical device 121 by a gap 205, which avoids contact between product 105 and electrochemical device 121 when container 200 is not in use. The void 205 may be maintained during shipping and storage of the container 200 by a removable seal 207 (e.g., foil) located below the lid 113.

The electrochemical device 121 includes a dispensing chamber 209 and an electrical circuit 211. The dispensing cavity 209 may hold the portion of the product 105 dispensed by the user into the lid 113. In an embodiment, the dispensing cavity 209 may have a cup shape (e.g., an open container) for holding the product 105, such as shown in fig. 1B. In an embodiment, the dispensing cavity 209 is a channel through the electrochemical device 121. For example, the bottom of the dispensing cavity 209 may be defined by the top wall of the lid 113, and the side walls of the dispensing cavity 209 may be defined by the inner walls of the electrochemical device 121.

The electrical circuit 211 of the electrochemical device 121 includes a power source 213, an electrode 217, and an electrode 221. Additionally, in some embodiments, the electrochemical device 121 includes an indicator 123 (e.g., light, sound, music, voice instructions, or vibration), a switch 229, a selector 231, and/or a sensor 233. The power source 213 may be a battery, a piezoelectric generator, a micro-electromechanical generator, or a solar cell, which may output direct current or alternating current. In some embodiments, power source 213 is a button cell battery, such as a watch battery.

The

electrodes

217 and 221 are electrical conductors that are connected to opposite ends (e.g., an anode and a cathode) of the power supply 213. The

electrodes

217 and 221 may be made of, for example, nickel, carbon, platinum, stainless steel, boron-doped diamond, silver, gold, or iron. In embodiments, the electrodes 217 and/or 221 contribute to the conversion of the product 105 by degrading upon exposure to the product 105. Although the

electrodes

217 and 221 are shown as nodes for simplicity, it is understood that the

electrodes

217 and 221 may have different shapes and geometries that maximize their surface area in the dispensing chamber. For example, the

electrodes

217 and 221 may be formed as plates, grids, coils, spirals, fans, or any other conceivable shape, as described below.

At least a portion of each of the

electrodes

217 and 221 directly contacts the dispensing chamber 209 or extends into the dispensing chamber 209 without electrically contacting each other. Thus, when the dispensing chamber 209 is empty (e.g., substantially free of product 105), there is an open circuit between the

electrodes

217 and 221 such that substantially no current is conducted through the

electrodes

217 and 221. On the other hand, when a portion of the product 105 is present in the dispensing chamber between the

electrodes

217 and 221, the path over the circuit 211 may be completed to conduct current from the power source 213 through the portion of the product 105 in the dispensing chamber 209 through the

electrodes

217 and 221.

The indicator 123 may include a light 226 and an alarm 227 (e.g., a buzzer or beeper). In an embodiment, the lamp 226 may be a light emitter operating in a frequency range between about 300nm and about 900 nm. For example, the lamps 226 may be LEDs, printed LEDs, thin film LEDs, discrete LEDs, or organic LEDs.

The switch 229 may selectively open and close the circuit 211 between the power source 213 and the

electrodes

217, 221 to selectively conduct current through the product 105. In some embodiments, the switch 229 may be manually operated by a user to be closed by a selector 231 (e.g., a button or a throw switch) on an exterior surface of the container 200 (e.g., on the sidewall 109 or the lid 113). For example, a user may dispense a portion of the product 105 into the lid 113 and manually operate the selector 231 to apply power from the power source 213 to the product 105 in the lid 113. After a predetermined amount of time (e.g., about 10 seconds to about 30 seconds), the user may release selector 231, thereby opening switch 229 and cutting off power to

electrodes

217 and 221. Additionally, in some embodiments, the switch 229 automatically cuts off (e.g., removes) power applied to the

electrodes

217 and 221 from the power source 213. For example, the switch 229 may be automatically opened based on a predetermined event. The predetermined event may be a certain amount of time, a predetermined pH (e.g., conductivity) of the reactive product in the dispensing chamber 209 as determined by the sensor 233, or a temperature of the reactive product in the dispensing chamber 209 as determined by the sensor 233.

Fig. 3 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary container 300 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The container 300 includes a product 105, a lid 113, and an electrochemical device 121, which may be the same as or similar to the product, lid, and electrochemical device of the container previously described herein. In embodiments, the lid 113 may be permanently or semi-permanently attached to the container 300. Additionally, the lid 113 may include a valve 305 that controls the flow of the product 105 through the dispensing cavity 209 and out of the lid 113. In such embodiments, the valve 305 may be a one-way valve and the dispensing chamber 209 may be one or more channels that pass completely through the lid 113. The valve 305 may be in fluid communication with the dispense chamber 209 and prevent backflow therefrom.

In an example of use, a user may invert or squeeze the container 300 such that a portion of the product 105 passes through the void space 205 and through the valve 305 into the dispensing chamber 209, which can prevent backflow of the product 105. Thus, a portion of the product 105 accumulates in the dispensing chamber 209 where it can be converted to a reactive product by the electrochemical device 121, as previously described herein. After the conversion is complete, as indicated by indicator 123, the user may dispense and use the reactive product.

Fig. 4 illustrates a functional block diagram of an exemplary container 400 in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. The container 400 includes a product 105, a lid 113, and an electrochemical device 121, which may be the same as or similar to the product, lid, and electrochemical device of the container previously described herein. Additionally, in an embodiment, the container 400 comprises a dispensing chamber 209 comprised of a number of adjacent channels 405. Each channel 405 may pass completely through the lid 113 and be in fluid communication with the product 105 in the container 400. Further, each channel 405 may contain a respective pair of

electrodes

217 and 221. By using multiple channels 405 and

multiple electrodes

217, 221, the electrochemical device 121 may more quickly convert the product 105 into a reactive product. For example, a user may squeeze or invert the container 400, which forces the product 105 through the channel 405. As product 105 passes through channel 405, it is induced to form a reactive product that is dispensed from lid 113 without having to remain in lid 113 for a long time, but only having to traverse lid 113.

Fig. 5A illustrates a cutaway side perspective view of an exemplary lid 501 containing an electrochemical device 505, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 5B shows an exploded perspective view of the cover 501 and the electrochemical device 505. The lid 501 and electrochemical device 505 may be the same or similar to those previously described herein. In addition, electrochemical device 505 comprises power source 213 and

co-helical electrodes

217, 221, which may also be the same as or similar to those previously described herein. In such implementations, the common-

spiral electrodes

217, 221 can form two parallel electrical paths that spiral along a common axis. In addition, electrochemical device 505 comprises a base 509 and a housing 513, which may form a container within lid 501. The interior volume of the container may be the dispensing chamber 209, as previously described herein.

Fig. 6A illustrates a cutaway side perspective view of an exemplary lid 601 containing an electrochemical device 605, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 6B shows an exploded perspective view of the electrochemical device 605. The lid 601 and electrochemical device 605 may be the same or similar to those previously described herein. In addition, the electrochemical device 605 includes a power source 213 and

electrodes

217, 221, which may also be similar to those previously described herein. In addition, electrochemical device 505 comprises a base 509 and a housing 513, which may form a container within lid 501. The

electrodes

217 and 221 can be formed as a fan that fits within the interior volume of the housing 513 and rotates on the shaft 613 under the power of a motor 617 that is driven by the power source 213 to agitate the liquid (e.g., product 105) in the lid 601.

Fig. 7A illustrates a cutaway side perspective view of an exemplary cover 701 containing an electrochemical device 705, according to aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 7B shows an exploded perspective view of the electrochemical device 705. The lid 701 and the electrochemical device 705 may be the same as or similar to those previously described herein. In addition, electrochemical device 705 includes power source 213,

electrodes

217, 221, lamp 226, and valve 305, which may also be similar to those previously described herein. The

electrodes

217 and 221 may be formed as a flat co-spiral shape around the spiral dielectric support 709. The

electrodes

217, 221 and the spiral dielectric support 709 may fit within the interior volume of the lid 701. In an embodiment, indicator 123 is a light 226 formed from a flexible LED that is wound in a spiral around dielectric support 709.

Fig. 8 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary electrochemical device 805 according to aspects of the present disclosure. Electrochemical device 805 comprises power source 213,

electrodes

217, 221, lamp 226, and housing 513, which may also be similar to those previously described herein. The power source 213 may be a flexible battery mounted to a sidewall of the housing 513. The

electrodes

217, 221 may be mesh conductors and may have a conical shape nested within the housing 513 and offset from each other by a gap. The lights 226 may be flexible LEDs mounted to the sidewalls of the housing 513.

Fig. 9 illustrates an exploded perspective view of an exemplary electrochemical device 905 according to aspects of the present disclosure. Electrochemical device 905 comprises power source 213,

electrodes

217, 221, lamp 226, valve 305, and housing 513, which may also be similar to those previously described herein. The power source 213 may be a flexible battery mounted to a sidewall of the housing 513. The

electrodes

217, 221 may be co-helical conductors, as previously described herein. For example, dielectric material 907 may separate spiral

conductors comprising electrodes

217 and 221, where electrode 217 may be disposed on an upper surface of dielectric 907 and electrode 221 may be disposed on a lower surface of dielectric 907. In an embodiment, the lights 226 are flexible LEDs mounted to an exterior sidewall of the housing 513.

Fig. 10A illustrates a front perspective view of an exemplary product container 1000 including a bottle neck 1001, a dip tube 1003, and an electrochemical device 1005, in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure. Fig. 10B shows a rear perspective view of the product container 1000. Fig. 10C illustrates a side perspective view of an exemplary dip tube 1003 and electrochemical device 1005, according to aspects of the present disclosure. The electrochemical device 1005 may be similar to the electrochemical devices previously described herein. Electrochemical device 1005 includes a power source 213 (e.g., a battery), a selector 231 (e.g., a button), and

electrodes

217, 221 forming an electrical circuit (e.g., electrical circuit 211), which may be the same or similar to those previously described herein. Additionally, the dip tube 1003 may include an electrode 217 wound inside the dip tube 1013 and extending to the bottleneck 1001. The electrode 217 provides an electrical signal path from the power source 213 and the selector 231 to the electrode 221 in the electrochemical device 1005.

The foregoing description of various preferred aspects is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. The above features have been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the disclosure. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that each of the foregoing is an exemplary implementation and should not be construed as limiting the scope of the present disclosure.

Ranges are used throughout as a shorthand way of describing each and every value that is within the range. Any value within the range can be selected as the end value of the range. In addition, all references cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. In the event of a conflict between a definition in the present disclosure and that of a cited reference, the present disclosure controls.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms "comprises" and/or "comprising," when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A product container, comprising:

a first product;

an electrochemical device configured to convert a portion of the first product into a second product,

wherein the second product is an unstable formulation;

a bottle comprising a bottle neck and a cap;

a dip tube extending from the first product to the bottle neck;

a first electrode in the dip tube; and

a second electrode in the bottle neck.

2. The product container of claim 1, wherein the electrochemical device comprises:

a dispensing chamber; and

a circuit, which includes a power supply,

wherein:

the circuit is configured to generate the second product from the portion of the first product in the dispensing chamber by outputting power from the power source to the portion of the first product via the first electrode and the second electrode.

3. The product container of claim 1 wherein the first product is a liquid, gel, or paste.

4. The product container of claim 3 wherein the first product is an oral care product.

5. The product container of claim 4, wherein the first product is a whitening product.

6. The product container of claim 5, wherein the whitening product is a persulfate salt.

7. The product container of claim 5, wherein the whitening product is a peroxide.

8. The product container of claim 1 wherein:

the first product has a first predetermined pH; and is

The second product has a second predetermined pH.

9. The product container of claim 8 wherein the first predetermined pH is 3 and the second predetermined pH is 7.

10. The product container of claim 8 wherein the first predetermined pH is 11 and the second predetermined pH is 7.

11. The product container of claim 2, wherein the electronic circuit further comprises a switch configured to activate and deactivate the circuit.

12. The product container of claim 11, further comprising a manual selector configured to control the switch.

13. The product container of claim 11, wherein the switch is configured to automatically disable the circuit based on a predetermined event.

14. The product container of claim 2 wherein the dispensing chamber includes an agitator powered by the circuit.

15. The product container of claim 2, wherein the circuit further comprises an indicator.